Aspire Rural Health System Receives Acute Stroke Ready Center Certification from DNV

January 13, 2026

Aspire Rural Health System announces that it’s three primary locations, Deckerville Community Hospital, Hills & Dales Healthcare and Marlette Regional Hospital has received certification from DNV as an Acute Stroke Ready Center, affirming the hospital’s readiness to handle strokes and stroke related medical problems.

 

The advantage of an Acute Stroke Ready certified program is that these stroke centers usually serve communities where access to a larger, more equipped hospital is too far for patients to reach in limited time. We know that Time is Brain; the faster a patient can get to a certified stroke center, the faster the patient will be diagnosed and treated. Saving this valuable time is known to decrease complications of a stroke.

 

“This certification lets our community know that we have the resources and commitment to provide the best possible stroke care,” says Ashley Stolicker, Trauma Program Manager/Stroke Coordinator. “It’s a combination of the right equipment, personnel and training to quickly assess, identify and treat strokes quickly. This includes the ability to efficiently transfer patients in the instances they require treatment beyond our capabilities. Achieving certification validates the tremendous effort we have put into this program, ensuring the health and safety of our patients.”

 

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The DNV Acute Stroke Ready (ASR) Certification is derived from evidenced-based standards set forth by the Brain Attack Coalition and the American Stroke Association, and affirms that — Deckerville Community Hospital, Hills & Dales Healthcare, and Marlette Regional Hospital addresses the initial diagnosis, initial treatment and when  necessary, facilitates quick transfer to a specialized stroke center with a higher spectrum of stroke care.

 

“Achieving certification shows a commitment to excellence,” says Kelly Proctor, President of DNV Healthcare USA Inc. “It helps demonstrate to your community that you are providing the highest level of care that this hospital is designed to offer.”

 

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is a leading cause of death, killing nearly 130,000 people each year, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. Because stroke or “brain attack” effects blood flow to the brain, rapid and effective treatment can save lives and provide the best chance of limiting the extent of long-term damage.

 

About Aspire Rural Health System

Aspire Rural Health System is a leading rural healthcare organization, dedicated to providing exceptional care close to home. Serving the communities of Marlette, Deckerville, Cass City and surrounding communities, our hospitals and clinics deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care across a wide range of medical services. Committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve, Aspire Rural Health System combines advanced medical expertise with a personal, community-focused approach.

 

 

About DNV

DNV is a global independent certification, assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise, DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, drives innovative solutions.

Whether certifying a company’s management system or products, accrediting hospitals, providing training, assessing supply chains or digital assets, DNV enables customers and stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence, continually improve and realize long-term strategic goals sustainably.

DNV draws on its wide technical and industry expertise to help companies worldwide build consumer and stakeholder trust. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.

 

For more information about DNV, visit www.dnvcert.com/healthcare